Name the Tanker: Leaders seek inputs from Airmen

Published: Thu May 15th, 2008
Source: www.af.mil

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force senior leaders are asking all Airmen for suggestions on a name for the service's newest tanker aircraft, the KC-45A.

"I've asked that we seek our Airmen's help to find a name for the KC-45," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne. "I prefer the name emphasize our heritage or our future horizon, but I'm most interested to see what our Airmen suggest."

As the future operators of the KC-45A, Air Mobility Command officials gathered many good suggestions from personnel in their units. Those submissions will be on the list of names considered during final selection. However, the opportunity to submit proposed names is now open to all Air Force personnel.

Until May 30, active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen, as well as Air Force government civilians, can submit their suggestions to namethetanker@pentagon.af.mil.

Suggested names must be brief, no more than two short words.

Along with the suggestion, entrants must include a brief explanation for their idea.

Entrants must also include their name, rank, contact information and duty station. Government civilians must identify their office and position.

The KC-45A will replace the current KC-135, which is the oldest aircraft in the Air Force's fleet. It went into service in the 1950s.

In the early days of aerial refueling, Air Force tankers were converted bombers such as the B-29 and the B-50. Advancements in technology in the 1950s led to the development of the KC-135 "Stratotanker." In the 1980s, Air Force officials accepted the KC-10 "Extender" into the fleet. The KC-10 is a larger aerial refueling platform which also could double for airlift.

The KC-45A will offer greater air refueling capabilities and accommodate refueling for both Air Force and Navy aircraft within the same flight. Currently, KC-135s must be configured for one or the other before the flight begins.

This is not the first time the Air Force held a naming contest for its aircraft. In 1976, the Air Force held a "Name-the-Plane" contest for the F-16. The winning entry, Fighting Falcon, was submitted by Tech. Sgt. Joseph A. Kurdell, a photo sensor shop supervisor for the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing.

He explained that while stationed at Lowery Air Force Basae, Colo., he visited the Air Force Academy during football season. As the falcon is the school's mascot, he decided to use it for the name of the fighter aircraft.
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Name the Tanker: Leaders seek inputs from Airmen

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